Diplomatic negotiations in international disputes

Telegram from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee relates that he received an official communication from Japanese Minister Takahira requesting that the United States detain any Russian officers and crewmen on the Lena warship once it docks in San Francisco for repairs. Adee suggests that President Roosevelt acknowledge the request and affirm U.S. neutrality. Also, Adee refers to a telegram from Admiral Goodrich that was forwarded to Roosevelt, in which Goodrich notes the Lena‘s Commander’s request that the crew be paroled and sent home. Adee advises acknowledging the request and emphasizing U.S. neutrality and the necessity of obtaining Japanese permission before paroling the crew. Lastly, Adee notes that there is one passenger on the Lena and asks Roosevelt whether he believes he should also be detained.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-17

Letter from Philip C. Garrett to John Hay

Philip C. Garrett writes to Secretary of State Hay to express his regrets that he cannot attend an upcoming Peace Conference and to advocate for American diplomatic efforts towards ending the “horrible bloodshed in Manchuria.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-17

Letter from Paul Morton to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of the Navy Morton writes to President Roosevelt to forward a telegram from the Commandant Navy Yard of Mare Island reporting on the forms of parole given to the crew and officers from the Russian warship Lena.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-19

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to William Loeb.

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee writes to William Loeb about enclosed correspondence from Panama’s Ambassador, John Barrett, and Panama’s Ambassador to the United States, Jose Domingo de Obaldia. Adee requested guidance from President Roosevelt about differences that have occurred.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-02

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alvey A. Adee informs President Roosevelt that he has been in touch with Secretary of State John Hay concerning the American position on the Russo-Japanese War. Adee writes that he has passed on the President’s instructions of non-interference and tries to predict Russia’s next course of action.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-26

Letter from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Alvey A. Adee writes President Roosevelt concerning the decision of the Russian Prize Court about the cargo of the German steamer Arabia. He encloses a dispatch from the American Ambassador in St. Petersburg and awaits a reply.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-23

Letter from John Alexander Scrymser to John Hay

James Alexander Scrymser thanks Secretary of State Hay for his reply to Scrymser’s earlier letter about his company’s dispute with both Colombia and Panama over contracts giving the Central and South American Telegraph Company exclusive cable rights in both countries. Scrymser says he understands if the State Department cannot intervene at the moment but hopes that the department will support his claims.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-13

Memorandum from William Lawrence Penfield

William Lawrence Penfield writes about James Alexander Scrymser’s request, in his capacity as President of the Central and South American Telegraph Company, for the United States to intervene on behalf of the company in Panama. Penfield details why the State Department should not intervene.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-16

Letter from John Ireland to Theodore Roosevelt

Archbishop Ireland writes to President Roosevelt about the political process of completing the contract for the Friars’ land settlement in the Philippines. Ireland states that the only positive report of the process, besides his own, has come from the Apostolic Delegate Giovanni Guidi. The Friars and bishops are conveying contradictory, or negative information to the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Ireland requests that Governor Taft write to the Vatican and discuss how the effort is proceeding to support what the Apostolic Delegate and the Archbishop have reported.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-31

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott offers to join Governor Taft and other American officials in Rome to assist in the negotiations with the Vatican regarding the “friar land problem in the Philippines.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-10

Letter from John Ireland to Theodore Roosevelt

Archbishop Ireland writes to President Roosevelt about the lack of discretion shown by Associate Justice John Thomas McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Ireland indicates that he had warned the Judge to take care not to say anything that would reflect badly on the Roosevelt administration. Ireland asks that the Judge’s replacement be someone of the Catholic faith. Ireland also praises the selection of George B. Cortelyou as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-23

Letter from Frederick Zadok Rooker to Theodore Roosevelt

The Bishop of Jaro, Philippines, Frederick Z. Rooker, informs President Roosevelt of the new Philippine Independent Church, known as the Aglipayan Church after its founder, which was created in schism with Rome and about which Rooker expresses deep reservations. Rooker also criticizes Philippine Governer-General Taft for being overly accommodating to the Aglipayans. Rooker specifically requests the establishment of a strong American governmental presence in the Philippines, that the “insurrectos” currently holding political office be removed, and that all former Catholic Church property be restored.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-09

Presidential snapshot (#12): Excerpt of a letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

In a letter to his son Kermit Roosevelt, President Roosevelt describes a weekend visit to Pine Knot, the rural retreat purchased by Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt in Virginia. Roosevelt notes that he did the cooking for himself and Edith, and that they enjoyed walking the property and sitting on the piazza. Roosevelt also writes of his efforts to bring the Russians and Japanese to the negotiating table to achieve a diplomatic settlement to the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1905-06-11

Letter from John McLane to Herbert H. D. Peirce

Governor McLane writes to Assistant Secretary of State Peirce regarding an article about the Japan-Russia peace envoys in New Hampshire. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-30

Telegram from Alvey A. Adee to Theodore Roosevelt

Second Assistant Secretary of State Adee updates President Roosevelt with information about news from Honduras and Guatemala. Harry Percival Garthwaite has contacted Washington D.C. with word that President Fernando Figueroa of San Salvador will withdraw his troops from the frontiers in light of mediation from the United States and Mexico.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt provides updates on the Post Office investigation and the Alaska boundary dispute. Roosevelt would prefer that the Alaska negotiations end before the presidential campaign.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-06-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

President Roosevelt is against breaking off negotiations with the British over the Alaskan boundary, even if the British request extra time for the presentation of arguments.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-07-08

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge

Due to poor negotiations with the British and Canadians, President Roosevelt intends to announce that the United States will claim and occupy all disputed territory. However, Roosevelt will speak mildly and make no threats. Roosevelt is pleased with the improving conditions in the business world and will be reviewing the naval squadron tomorrow.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1906-08-16

Letter from John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of State Hay writes President Roosevelt about Hay’s meeting with General Juan Francisco Sánchez, Santo Domingo’s Secretary of State for Foreign Relations and charge d’affaires of the United States, regarding some difficult information that Hay gave Sanchez.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-30

Telegram from John Hay to Bellamy Storer

Secretary of State Hay discusses respecting China’s neutrality during the Russo-Japanese War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-13